faderift | Open | I got a little raincloud, he's my best friend

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Open | I got a little raincloud, he's my best friend

WHO: Peter Parker and you!
WHAT: Peter Parker arrives in Thedas after his multiverse experiences and learns to begin again in a new world.
WHEN: Bloomingtide
WHERE: In and around the Gallows.
NOTES: Possible mentions of death, loss, grieving, etc. I'll add more if they come up.

I. Arrival – Post-Rift Journey to Kirkwall

Peter Parker probably doesn’t have any right to be surprised when he finds that he’s fallen out of a dream in which he was forced to climb up the walls of his high school gym (again), uniform and all, and into another universe, and yet, here he is. He doesn’t expect the empty coffee cup, exactly the same kind used by MJ and the coffee shop she works at, and the Lego Palpatine figurine to follow him, either, and yet.

The rift through the air being green is a change of pace, at least. The demons he helps fight with the group of people calling themselves Riftwatch are also a kind of breath of fresh air, in a way. The ones that appear to be made out of lava and the ones that look like Dementors are definitely not the best to fight against in gym clothes though, oof, he thinks. He’s lucky he doesn’t end up significantly injured, though he can’t seem to stop shivering.

His luck proves not all terrible, as the members of Riftwatch explain to him that they aren’t too far from the city of Kirkwall, where their group operates

“And you guys can get me some new clothes in…was it Kirkwall, you said?” Peter asks, turning to the nearest member of Riftwatch, both genuinely curious and also trying not to think too much about the way his body still seems to be shifting between hot and cold after closing the rift.

II. Taking Notes and Quarantine

As Riftwatch helps Peter learn about this Thedas, the world he finds himself in, Peter finds himself fascinated. He wants to know more, to learn more, and he wants to study and immerse himself in this strange, kind of medieval universe. He can help people here; he can do good after messing up so badly in his own world.

He’ll have to be careful, he realizes, about using his abilities here. He doesn’t want to put people in danger just from knowing him again, after all. Still, Peter finds himself eager and ready to throw himself into Riftwatch; when they make the pitch to him about joining, he doesn’t hesitate. It seems only fair, after all, given how much they’ve already helped him.

Peter signs up for Research, though he’s sorely tempted by the Scouting Division, too. But he needs to pace himself; recent events back home have taught him that. And Research seems as good a place as any to start.

Peter sets himself to work; he finds a spot for himself in the library and surrounds himself with books of all kinds, both for his work in Research and to help himself learn more about Thedas. He’s determined to do better here; he has to, he tells himself. His growling stomach sometimes is the only reminder he listens to when he needs to eat.

As he’s quarantined within the Gallows for the time being, Peter takes to exploring all that he can of the place when he has the chance. He is fascinated by the laboratories and work rooms in the same tower as the library, and he asks questions of anyone who will humor him. He takes to walking around the open spaces of the Gallows as well, observing the areas for training and sparring. If he wants to be more active out in the field, he thinks, he should probably learn how to fight with the weapons Thedas has available. He’s particularly interested by the archers, and the way using bows and arrows reminds him, from a certain angle, of using his webs, though he’s also well aware that they’re entirely different skill sets.

Peter keeps to himself when he eats in the dining hall, tucked away in a corner, usually with his own notes. He’s trying to keep a record of his experiences in Thedas so far, for his own reference. It can’t hurt, he thinks.

When he isn’t studying, working, or observing, Peter tries to create and stick with an exercise routine for himself, to keep his body as sharp as his mind. He can be found in and around the sparring area, out of the way of people sparring, stretching and working out as best he can.

III. Wildcard

[If there’s anything specific you’d like to do with Peter, just let me know and I can put up a starter in the comments, or feel free to put up your own starter if you like!]

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Peter starts when the woman passing by addresses him, almost jumping out of his skin. He blinks as he takes in the sound of her voice and the offer of the bread roll she holds out to him; he realizes he's been zoning out. Hunger, definitely, he thinks. He definitely should have taken a break to grab some food at least an hour ago, he realizes.

"Oh, um, thank you," he stumbles over his words a bit, shaking his head. He tries to come across more grateful and less awkward. "I'm sorry my stomach is so loud. I guess I'm just so used to it by now I don't even hear it anymore."

He offers her a smile, trying to make a joke of it. He didn't realize ignoring his hunger could be so loud.

"You're welcome."

She looks highly amused by him. There's really no chance of his stomach having irritated her at all, reinforced by the way she chuckles, and scoops some wild, curly dark hair back behind a lightly notched ear. "Calm down. I'm not either of the library police, so you don't have to worry about that. They're busy, by the by. You've got time to eat, just don't leave any of the evidence in the books.

Are you new?"

He looks new. And little, and very uncertain.

Peter smiles and relaxes. She seems very nice, and he's grateful to have some company, he realizes. Too much time spent in books, avoiding his thoughts, and ignoring his stomach, he thinks.

"Thanks for the head's up," he says. "The library police seem like they mean business." He takes a bite of the food she's brought him, a small, satisfied noise escaping as he chews, much to his mortification. Of course he can't eat without being a complete nerd. Of course.

He nods when she asks if he's new, swallowing his food before answering. "Yeah, I guess it's pretty obvious. I just got here a few days ago, and I'm trying to catch up and settle in."

He considers her a moment before asking. "Have you been here long?"

"They do," she says seriously, and decides she'll take that seat opposite him at the table, place her book along the edge, "If they catch you breakin' rules they'll toss you in the jail some floors down."

Not really. But maybe? Her eyes are bright. She says, "Welcome," and, "Oh, have I?" more to herself, than to him.

Give her a moment, she has to count on her fingers.

"Yes," she says eventually, "And no. Before I got here I traveled about; this is the longest I've ever stayed anywhere, I think. But it hasn't even been a year." Thus the confusion. You understand.

Peter really digs into the bread roll now, chewing and swallowing as though he hasn't eaten in days as she joins him. It's a really filling snack, and he's grateful to her for bringing it to him.

"There's a jail underneath this?" Peter asks in between bites, curious and horrified. Although, considering this place is called the Gallows, he doesn't know what he was expecting.

"Where have you traveled?" He asks, more and more fascinated by her. "Before you got here, I mean."

"Yes."

The Gallows' gallows. In fact, it was the first place Gela went to see after arriving. She went to check if the rumours were true; they were, and she felt much better about actually staying.

Her elbows go up on the table edge. "Well," she starts, "Over a fair amount of Thedas, I think. There is still a lot to see, but I'm here for the time bein'.

Do you want me to list the places? Will you know them?" She isn't trying to be rude. He has that same accent that many of the Rifters do, the one so interesting and strange it tickles Gela's inner ear to hear it.

Peter makes a note that he should probably go see these dungeons for himself when he gets the chance. Maybe even after he finishes this snack. Knowing and seeing dungeons are two different things, and, for a moment, he thinks of Ned. He chews and swallows, ignoring the way his throat tightens and the ache in his chest at that thought.

She mentions traveling throughout Thedas, and Peter is even more intrigued.

"I'd love to hear about the places you've been," he says. "I might not know what places you're talking about but I've been reading up on Thedas and I kind of am starting to get a better idea of different countries? I know Fereldan, Orlais, and the Free Marches a little bit."

It doesn't hurt that Orlais reminds him of France and Ferelden reminds him of England and Ireland. The Free Marches kind of remind him of both the United States and different places in Europe. Of course, these are only his own assumptions; this is a different world from his home, and just because one country reminds him of another doesn't mean he understands the culture.

"A good enough start as any," and particularly because he has not mentioned Nevarra yet. Gela settles with her chin in her hand. "Well...

Right before I was here I was in Ferelden, out along the Coastlines. Didn't go any further east than that, for reasons. Never saw Antiva! Though I'd like to go. Rialto is supposed to be very lovely and warm."

She sighs, wistfully. She adds, "Where were you before you were here? Somewhere nice?"

He nods, leaning forward to better listen to her.

"What are the Fereldan coastlines like? I'm more used to cities so I've never really seen much of coastlines before," he says.

"Rialto sounds really nice," he adds. "I hope you get the chance to go! From your description of it, I'd like to see it myself."

He smiles as she asks about where he was before here. New York is especially nice right around Christmas; he still thinks about swinging around Rockerfeller, with the tree, all the lights and decorations, and his gaze grows wistful at the memory.

"I was in New York, before arriving here," he says. "It's a big city, it kind of reminds me a bit of what I've read about Kirkwall, in a way? There were decorations up for Christmas. It was really nice!"

Even with Peter losing his friends and family, New York still feels like home, especially with all of the spectacles of winter.

"They're wet." She's far more interested in talking about what he just said rather than the boring, swampy Coastlands, "I've been to New York! It's..."

Gela is realising she doesn't have many nice things to say about it; Peter has already said that it was big, and for some reason he means that positively? She thinks for a moment. "There are a lot of people there. And it's so loud! I went to a museum, and I saw..."

She gestures with her hands, trying to remember the specific word. "Big skeletons, of dragons?"

Dinosaurs.

Peter brightens when he realizes she knows New York.

"Yeah, there are a lot of people, it's a very crowded city. But it's full of life too! Oh the Museum of Natural History? That place is awesome! I love all of the skeletons there. They do look kind of like dragons, don't they?"

Curious and unable to help himself from asking more questions, Peter continues talking. "When did you see New York?"

He is, at his very core, a New Yorker through and through.

"Oh," Gela says, flapping a hand, "Months ago. It was somethin' to do with the Fade, when Riftwatch were in the Crossroads. I don't understand much about how it all came together, only that we went all sorts of places, all ones that the Rifters came from before."

Honestly? "I'm glad we weren't there long. No offense, but it was far too different."

"What's the Crossroads?" Peter asks, tilting his head. He's starting to learn more about the Fade, the place where spirits live and, from what he thinks as he's studying, the source of magic in Thedas. But he hasn't come across anything about the Crossroads yet.

When she mentions that people went to different places, the different places Rifters come from, Peter's eyes widen.

"Wait, people went to Rifters home worlds? That's possible?"

He has so many questions. And a brief spark of hope perching on his chest at the potential possibilities.

Gela's expression suggests she was hoping he wouldn't ask her that. "I don't actually know." The Crossroads is... beyond her. She doesn't understand it; has, in fact, placed it firmly underneath the umbrella of magic, and left it alone. It's none of her business what the Crossroads is. "You should ask Cosima about it. She's part of the Research division. She'll explain it to you."

Better her than Gela, who is recognising the look on his wee face and feeling abruptly terrible for giving him any false hope, "Oh, I – don't really know that either. I'm sorry. From what I understand, you're all here, now, and this is where you live?"

She says that last bit like a question.

At the sight of her expression, Peter feels a twinge of guilt. He nods. "Okay, Cosima, got it," he says. "I'm in Research too. I'll try and track her down." He can also try and learn more from the books he's studying too. He doesn't want to make Gela uncomfortable by pressing her further on the subject.

He feels his own expression falter as she explains. He should know better than to get his hopes up by now. He manages a small smile. "No, you're right. I just...jumped ahead and got excited by the idea of getting to see New York again. It's fine."

It's not, but he's adjusting. His life is a series of adjustments and he'll continue adjusting.

"Yeah," he nods. "I live here now. Thedas is really interesting! I'm learning a lot already. I think I'm still in quarantine, but once I get out, I'd really like to see more of the city here and outside of it, if I can."

"Are you!" Well, he'd be very well off after making friends with Cosima, then. Gela beams again, perking up. "I'm part of Diplomacy. I like to think our two factions are close with each other." Because they aren't off in the field so much? Not like Forces or Scouting, anyways.

She is being cheerful on purpose. Talk of missing home hurts her heart. Clearly it hurts him, too, and so she steers around it.

"Oh, yes. Once you're allowed, you should go to Kirkwall. Lots of interestin' things to look at across the river. And they have markets there more often than not, so if you take some coin you'll come away with all sorts of things."

Peter nods, glad to see her perking up. "Yeah, Research and Diplomacy do tend to work well together, don't they? I would think, anyway." Peter could never be a part of the Diplomacy department, he knows. His skill in the art of putting his foot in his mouth could start a whole new chain of disasters he would never consider before Thedas.

He's grateful for the change of subject, for focusing on Kirkwall instead of how much he misses home. He's grateful for her company, too, and for her kindness.

"I can't wait to see Kirkwall for myself! I've heard a lot about it," he says, nodding eagerly. "I'd love to see any of the markets. I'm sure I could find a way to bring back something I definitely don't need."

"Hmm. Well, maybe I'll see you around there sometime."

She's gathering her books back up, her head turning toward a window as if she's just realised the time, "Once you're allowed out, that is."

She looks back at him, half out of her chair. "What's your name? Mine's Gela."

Peter watches as she gathers her books back up, feeling a slight pang as he realizes she's probably leaving. Well, she must be busy, he tells himself. As much as he's appreciated having someone to talk to, he can't expect her to linger all day. At least he's been able to talk with her and get out of his own head for a little while.

"Maybe you will," he nods. Not that he imagines he'll be venturing off to the markets any time soon, considering his lack of money on top of quarantine. "Do you know how long quarantine usually lasts? I've heard it's usually a few weeks."

"I'm Peter, Peter Parker," he says, standing up out of his own chair to offer her a hand to shake. "It's nice to meet you Gela." It's a pretty name, he thinks.

"Two? I think," she answers, giving him her hand in return to shake. He's got a firm grip! "Well met, Peter Peter Parker." Cute, that he gives her first and last name. Rifters are so charming sometimes. "If you want to find me for anythin', I'm usually about the gardens. Come lend a hand sometime."

Not an offer! Definitely an order. She grins at him once more before she goes.

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